Unique Chalkboard Stand

If you are a long time follower, you may remember this project that Rose did before she started blogging.

She made a chalkboard out of a chair seat. Isn’t it cool? If you haven’t visited Rose lately, you need to go see what she’s been up to. If you’ve NEVER been there, you’re really missing out on some great inspiration. Rose has always inspired me, it even happened last week.

I’ve been piddling around with mixing my own chalkboard paint for an upcoming show. I was looking for something unique to use for a stand-up chalkboard.

Do you remember this trim I showed you recently? I decided I was going to use the white piece. So, I went searching in the garage for something to use with it.

This chair seat just jumped out at me!

Notice how the chair seat has that notched out section. I put it on the trim and traced the outline. FYI  I did not pay $3.50 for the trim. It was 50% off at Peddler’s. Ohhh, how sad. Peddler’s closed Tuesday. I did not make it up there because of Kitty. Okay, getting sidetracked.

I used a bit in my drill to make a hole.

I clamped the piece of trim to the work table.

I used the jigsaw to cut out the lines I traced. Voila! It stands up all by itself! See the curved parts?

This is how it looked before I cut the curves. I thought that the lines didn’t flow well with the curvature of the seat.

I used a washer to trace the curve.

I cut this little line with the jigsaw.

I couldn’t decide whether to used the “seat” side or the underneath side. I kept flipping it around trying to see which I liked best. The seat side was in better shape, but because it was a seat it had “butt dips”  hahaha   So, I decided to go with the underneath side.

I sanded the finish off and filled the holes with spackling.

I gathered my supplies to mix my own chalkboard paint.

Look! I’ve already found a use for my new cheapo measuring spoon! The recipe calls for 8 oz of (flat latex) paint and 2 tbsp of non sanded white grout. I actually use that little 2 oz container to measure my paint.

If you’ve never mixed your own chalkboard paint this may look funny to you. It turns into a funny consistency. I actually add about 1 tbsp of water to my homemade chalkboard paint to thin it a little. The paint I used for this mixture was semi-gloss. I’m not a fan of following rules.

Do you remember this recent find of “oops” paint? See the one on the right (bottom).

It just so happens to look a LOT like heirloom white! In fact I like it better. It doesn’t have the yellow (buttery) tint to it. I painted the stand . . .

. . . and the back of the chalkboard with it.

After you let your paint dry, you sand it with 150 grit sand paper and then condition your chalkboard like you normally would with the chalk on it’s side. I put three coats of paint on this chalkboard, and I let it cure a couple of days before I conditioned it with the chalk.

The board is a little rough, but I love the way it turned out. It will allow me to display it easily  on a table at my show.

Thank you Rose for inspiring me! You’re the bestest!

Now an update about Kitty. She came home early Tuesday morning with one of those silly collars to keep her from licking her privates. She is very raw and sore. The initial results came back with a bladder infection. Awaiting more test results Wednesday to see if she has renal failure.

If you’ve ever had a pet with one of those collars on, you know how sad it is. Poor thing keeps walking into things, because the collar sticks out so much. Then she backs up as though she’s trying to “back out of the collar”.

Poor Kitty! The Dr. says she has to wear it for at least a week. She hasn’t really figured out how to eat with it on. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Speaking of tomorrow, I’m really excited about the project I’m working on. Hopefully it will be completed for me to show you. Here’s a hint.

till then,

gail